Blogs by Carl Trueman

All the fuss surrounding Tiger Woods' potential return to golf has left me wondering about how times have changed.   There was a time when it was key for public figures to keep private sleaze private; if it slipped into... continue

I don't disagree with what Sean says; but I repeat: the `aha' moment is not application; it is not the end point of the sermon; it is not sufficient in itself to communicate the imperative; it certainly is not where... continue

Derek's comments on a certain kind of Reformed preaching are spot on.  If the game is simply to get from Text A to Bethlehem, what do you do with a book like Judges?  Preach 200 sermons which essentially say `This... continue

Karl Barth, as correctly identified by James from Edinburgh, who also raises the question as to why Barthian preaching is, by contrast with the quotation, often deathly dull.My theory is that neo-orthodox writing on preaching is often brilliant because it... continue

Here's an interesting quotation: "Preachers must not be boring.  To a large extent the pastor and boredom are synonymous concepts.  Listeners often think that they have heard already what is being said in the pulpit.  They have long since known... continue

The Vatican's chief exorcist has written his memoirs.  You can read the story here.   He claims ca. 70 000 exorcisms which is, I suspect, a workload which might even make Benny Hinn stop and take notice.... continue

Laughter is generally a social phenomenon; usually, it is very difficult to laugh at, say, a comedy program if nobody else in the room is so doing. It is also even more difficult to do, for some reason, when reading... continue

Todd Pruitt just brought this to my attention.  The list fails to mention two other tell tale signs -- suspects will also cast no reflection in the mirror, and exhibit a strange preference for the earlier, Shatner-dominated series of Star... continue

As William Willimon puts it in his superb book, Proclamation and Theology, page 72:`I believe the roots of clerical sloth are theological rather than primarily psychological.  We become lazy and slovenly in our work because we have lost the theological... continue

I have always been a huge fan of Luther and especially of his pastoral advice, especially the comment he made to the effect that no Christian should ever think they have so mastered the ABCs of the faith that they... continue